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Background: Few cessation studies have examined their recruitment methods to determine the most effective methods for enrollment and retention. Purpose: Data from a randomized controlled trial of yoga for smoking cessation was used to evaluate recruitment methods (e.g., radio, referral) and their relationship to enrollment, participant characteristics, and retention at end of treatment (EOT). Methods: Screening data from 1065 adults were analyzed for recruitment method, eligibility, randomization, and retention through EOT using Analysis of Variance and Chi-squared tests. Costs per enrolled participant were calculated. Results: Rates of participant accrual from screening through randomization differed by recruitment method (p < 0.05), although there were no differences in retention post-randomization. Among randomized participants, the majority were recruited via radio (44%) and the least number via newspaper (5%). There were differences in baseline psychosocial (i.e., nicotine dependence, readiness to quit) and demographic (i.e., age, employment) characteristics of randomized participants (n = 227, 55.5% women) across recruitment methods. Differences in costs between recruitment methods (p < 0.001) were noted. Discussion: Recruitment methods differed substantially in their cost and ability to attract individuals who would ultimately enroll. Translation to Health Education Practice: This investigation highlights the need to combine different recruitment methods to attract diverse individuals into cessation treatments. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Early adversity is a major contributor to psychiatric conditions and poor physical health that burden individuals and groups across Rhode Island, the United States, and globally. We established a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) at The Miriam Hospital to identify mechanisms linking early adversity and health, to curtail detrimental consequences of stress and trauma, and promote resilience. The STAR COBRE is a vibrant regional and national hub for transformative research to elucidate and mitigate the lasting imprint of stress and trauma across the lifespan. We have a focus on reducing health inequities among historically marginalized families including those living in poverty and from underrepresented racial and ethnic communities. A cornerstone of the STAR COBRE is fostering an inclusive community to support the advancement of a diverse group of early career researchers to emerge as leading independent investigators conducting cutting-edge STAR research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Tobacco use among prisoners is much higher than among the general population. Little is known about changes in smoking-related symptoms during periods of incarceration. The objective of this study is to evaluate changes in smoking-related symptoms during incarceration. Methods. We recruited 262 inmates from a tobacco-free prison. At baseline, participants were asked about smoking-related symptoms prior to incarceration and then asked about recent symptoms. Results. All symptom scores on the American Thoracic Society Questionnaire (ATSQ) improved during incarceration. Higher ATSQ scores were associated with asthma, depressive symptoms, stress, higher addiction and more pack years of smoking. Greater improvement in symptoms was not associated with smoking status after release. Conclusion. Forced tobacco abstinence leads to significant improvements in smoking-related symptoms. However, improvements in symptoms are not associated with smoking behavior changes. Addressing changes in symptoms during incarceration will require further evaluation in smoking cessation interventions for incarcerated populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death among American women. Aerobic exercise has shown promise as an aid to smoking cessation because it improves affect and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Studies outside the realm of smoking cessation have shown that yoga practice also reduces perceived stress and negative affect. Methods: This pilot study examines the feasibility and initial efficacy of yoga as a complementary therapy for smoking cessation. Fifty-five women were given 8-week group-based cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and were randomized to a twice-weekly program of Vinyasa yoga or a general health and wellness program (contact control). The primary outcome measure was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment validated by saliva cotinine testing. Longitudinal analyses were also conducted to examine the effect of intervention on smoking cessation at 3- and 6-month follow-up. We examined the effects of the intervention on potential mediating variables (e.g., confidence in quitting smoking, self-efficacy), as well as measures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived health (SF-36). Results: At end of treatment, women in the yoga group had a greater 7-day point-prevalence abstinence rate than controls (odds ratio [OR], 4.56; 95% CI, 1.1-18.6). Abstinence remained higher among yoga participants through the six month assessment (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.34-6.92), although differences were no longer statistically significant. Women participating in the yoga program also showed reduced anxiety and improvements in perceived health and well-being when compared with controls. Conclusions: Yoga may be an efficacious complementary therapy for smoking cessation among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over two-thirds of Americans access the Internet and therefore, the Internet may be an important channel for reaching the large population of sedentary individuals. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods for a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an Internet-based physical activity intervention relative to a print intervention that has been shown to be effective in previous trials. Specifically, 249 sedentary participants were randomized to receive one of three interventions: 1) Internet-based motivationally-tailored individualized feedback (Tailored Internet); 2) print-based motivationally-tailored individualized feedback (Tailored Print); or 3) physical activity websites currently available to the public (Standard Internet). Participants completed the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall interview, wore an objective physical activity monitor (i.e., ActiGraph), and participated in a treadmill fitness test at baseline, 6, and 12 months. The sample consisted of mostly women (84.2%) and Caucasian individuals (76.4%) who reported exercising an average of 21 min per week at baseline. This is the first study that we are aware of, that has examined the efficacy of a tailored Internet-based physical activity intervention. This study will have implications for the dissemination of Internet-based physical activity interventions.